40 years ago: Lawrence area experiences record-breaking snowstorm

"Community Digging Out After Crippling Storm." Lawrence and the surrounding towns were recovering from what was termed the "worst snow storm of the century," with comparisons being made with the famous Kansas blizzard of 1886. Lawrence had an official total of 9.5 inches of very moist and heavy snow. Snowfall of up to 18 inches was reported at Dodge City, with snowdrifts of up to 12 feet deep. Such a snowdrift was blamed for the partial derailment of a Santa Fe passenger train west of Garden City.

A massive snow-melt was in the forecast for the coming days, as bright sunshine and highs in the upper 30s or low 40s were in store for the area. In the meantime, a front-page photo showed Joy Miller, 351 Kansas, who had hitched her horse to an old-fashioned German sled and was pulling it down Massachusetts Street. Riding the sled were Joyce Rutherford and Laura Ralston. The caption reads, "Police advised the trio they were breaking an ordinance. They tied the horse to a meter while they had a drink downtown."